Moving in the Apostolic

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Moving in the Apostolic

ministry and beginning to walk in it strongly. Periodically there have been apostles throughout Church history, but now we are seeing a restoration of this ministry. This means that we will see a greater number of apostles ministering on the earth. On every continent we are seeing believers accept this call and stand in this office. Again, this does not mean that everyone who claims apostleship is a true apostle. There are, however, many genuine apostles ministering today, and the number is increasing as our understanding of this vital office increases. This influential office carries a tremendous amount of power and authority. God has deposited this power and authority in this office because the duties of the office require it. The power and authority vested in the apostle are in direct proportion to the responsibilities of the office. Once we understand the responsibilities of the office, we will understand why there is so much authority given to apostles. Let's look again at the word strateuomai. It means to execute the duties and functions of the apostolate. Those duties and functions can be arduous. Apostolic ministry is hard work. It takes a tremendous amount of power, authority, wisdom and grace to execute the apostolate. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Cor. 15:10). Paul stated that he labored more abundantly than all the other apostles. He did it by grace. In other words, he did not labor in his own strength but by God's power. The word "labored" is kopiao, meaning to feel fatigue, to work hard. It is from the root word kopos, meaning to toil, to experience pains, trouble and weariness. The duties and responsibilities of the apostolate require great grace for abundant labor. There is a grace resident within this office for this kind of ministry. Paul described his ministry in detail: Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above